Chelsea Demands Compensation from Man City Over Enzo Maresca's Shock Departure!
Manchester City has officially announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager, taking over from Pep Guardiola on a three-year deal. The appointment involved a compensation settlement with Chelsea, where Maresca previously won the Conference League and Club World Cup before his mid-season departure. Maresca expressed his excitement to return to City, marking his third spell with the club.Manchester City has formally announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager, succeeding Pep Guardiola on a three-year deal. This appointment comes amid a unique settlement involving compensation from both City and Maresca to his former club, Chelsea.
Chelsea issued a lengthy statement detailing the circumstances of Maresca's departure. The club was informed in Autumn of the previous year that Maresca, despite being under a long-term contract he had no right to terminate, harbored a strong desire to succeed Guardiola. He then "unexpectedly and abruptly resigned" from his position in December 2025.
Consequently, confidential settlements were reached with both Manchester City and Maresca himself, ensuring compensation for Chelsea. Sources close to City indicated that the delay in the announcement was primarily due to this contractual dispute between Maresca and Chelsea, while maintaining that relations between the two clubs remain positive.
In a personal statement on Instagram, Maresca apologized to Chelsea for the "disruption" caused by his mid-season departure from Stamford Bridge, which occurred on January 1, 2026. He clarified that the decision to leave Chelsea at the end of December 2025 was "only mine" and that his resignation "opened a path" for him to join Manchester City, a club he knows very well. Maresca expressed being "ecstatic" about his return to City.
Maresca's tenure at Chelsea began in 2024 on a five-year deal. During his time in charge, he led the club to victories in the Conference League and Club World Cup. Following his departure, Liam Rosenior replaced him. However, after a "disastrous second half of the season," Rosenior was sacked in April, with Chelsea ultimately finishing 10th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for European competitions.
This marks Maresca's third spell with Manchester City. He previously served as the head coach for the Elite Development Squad and later as Guardiola's first-team assistant between 2022 and 2023, bringing a familiar understanding of the club's philosophy to his new role.